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OSG, union at bargaining table

NORWICH – The International Chemical Workers Union at OSG Pharmaceuticals may strike if current contract talks don’t go their way.

The union members held a strike vote prior to labor negotiations that were supposed to begin in December, but the talks were pushed back to Jan. 3.

The union’s meeting was open to all 219 members; 161 attended, voting 157 to 4 in favor of giving the power to declare a strike over to the union bargaining leadership, said Local Union President Gary Robbins.

OSG Norwich Pharmaceuticals President Christopher R. Calhoun said he could not comment on current negotiations due to legal ramifications, but did release a media statement.

“Seventy percent of company costs of operations are labor costs. It is imperative that all these costs are effectively managed. There have been discussions regarding wage reductions; however, the company has offered alternate solutions to deliver on our cost-containment challenges. Many elements of the collective agreement contain procedures and rules that add unnecessary costs,” said the release.